New Defender's Study Bible Notes

4:12edifying. The gifts are all to be used for “edifying”—that is, “building up”—the body of Christ, both individually and corporately, adding stones to the building, as it were (Ephesians 2:22) and also strengthening the individual members.

4:14wind of doctrine. If this characteristic was true in the apostolic age, it is far more so today. The word “children” actually means “babes” (note Hebrews 5:13). The number of cults and heresies and compromises has multiplied almost without number, and vigilance against the crafty “deceiver,” Satan is needed more than ever (see note on Revelation 12:9).

4:15truth in love. This is almost the antidote to false doctrine and even rank unbelief. “Speaking the truth” is actually one word in the Greek—“truth-speaking.” We should speak only if we speak the truth, remembering that “thy Word is truth” (John 17:17), and we should do so only in love (i.e., Christian charity, unselfish concern for those to whom we speak).